Ceremonial House Figure

ceremonial house figure; wood and pigment; Papua New Guinea, East Sepik, Abelem Tribe; the figure in form of a wooden anthropomorphic figure with large oval shaped face and beard-like formation around chin; nose is pierced and mouth is slightly open; the head is surmounted by two large hornbill heads; there are also five hornbill heads at the base arranged in a pattern of opposing hook forms; the body consists of a thin shaft covered with forms in high relief; there are two large birds in front; at the sides, there are two heads similar to the principle head and numerous parrots and other bird heads; brilliant red and yellow ochre and white pigment have been applied to areas of the figure (John A. Friede)